Third Places, Socialization and Mental Health
In life, we coexist in and inhabit many different spaces. Some are new, crowded, and full of people, and others may just be the quiet, comfort of our individual rooms. We behave differently depending on the space we reside in and can have interactions with others depending on where we are. Human beings are a social species, meaning that it is vital that we find places where we can see other people and find community. Sociologists have studied this phenomenon and labeled these locations as third places.
By definition, a third places are "locations that facilitate social interaction outside of the people you live or work with” and encourage “public relaxation.” (Liddy 2023). Why is it labeled as a third place if community spaces are so vital to people’s happiness and connectivity with others? This is because it is not always seen as the highest on the list of priorities. The first place you inhabit is your home, you can make it cozy and calm, but you aren’t usually meeting new people. The second place, according to sociologists, is where you work or go to school every day. You may make connections with these people, but it is often stressful to do so under the demands of work deadlines or conflicts.
In American society, people have become very isolated, driving by themselves to work or school and then directly home afterwards. This setup leads to many individuals feeling very lonely and craving more meaningful human interaction. Third places are best at combatting this common issue, but are slowly dying off. Social research investigator Jessica Finlay writes that “third places are closing across the United States.” She explains that this leads to Americans “losing access to key services, goods, and amenities, in addition to community sites that help buffer against loneliness, stress, and alienation.” (Finlay 2019). It is our responsibility to the benefit of our community, as well as our own well-being, to support these unsung heroes. But what are they? And how can we do this?
Luckily there are so many third places; they are essentially any places that don’t fall into the category of the first two. This could be a community center, religious center, park, coffee shop, bowling alley, theater, arcade, ice skating rink, and many more! The great thing is, the more you support these places, the more you can be supporting your own mental health. Often by just sitting at a park or other public space, you interact with others, and even if you don’t, just watching and hearing other people have fun can have positive impacts on your health. You can physically vote by putting pen to paper for laws that will help these places prosper. You can also vote with your dollar so that during times of economic struggle these businesses stay afloat. I hope that during times of running back and forth from your home to school or work, you can take some time for yourself and enjoy your community through your favorite third place.
Sources
Finlay, J., et al. (2019). Closure of ‘third places’? Exploring potential consequences for collective health and wellbeing. Health & Place, 60, 102225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102225
Liddy, K. (2023). What is a Third Place? Meaning, Examples, And How to Find One. TODAY. https://www.today.com/life/inspiration/third-place-meaning-rcna94279